FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 5 2025
PRESS CONTACT: press@ncjw.org

Supreme Court decisions undermine separation between religion and state, critical minority anti-discrimination laws, longstanding civil rights precedents, and crucial labor protections

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Supreme Court of the United States issued opinions in both Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor and Industries Review Commission and Ames v. Ohio Dept of Youth Services, setting troubling legal precedents that weaken the boundaries between religion and state and erode essential labor protections. 

In response, Darcy Hirsh, senior director of government affairs and advocacy at National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) — one of the nation’s leading Jewish feminist civil rights organizations, representing 250,000 advocates from across the country — issued the following statement:

“Today’s Supreme Court decisions reflect a dangerous trend by the justices — eroding foundational constitutional principles and undermining essential civil rights protections for women, children, and families.

“The Court’s decision in Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin Labor and Industries Review Commission is centered on a Wisconsin charity, but its ramifications may go far beyond. By ruling that the Wisconsin Catholic Charities Bureau should get a religious exemption from paying state unemployment taxes, the Supreme Court may well be expanding the definition of what entities should be considered ‘religious.’ It is not only state tax exemptions at stake — this ruling could open the door to allow faith-based groups and organizations to abuse religious freedom claims to circumvent important employment protections and other laws necessary to ensure all of our rights. As a civil rights organization motivated by our Jewish values, it is essential that we ensure that faith is never used as a sword to discriminate against others or evade long fought for protections supporting the rights of all communities.

“The separation of religion and state — one of the founding principles of our democracy — has allowed minority religions, including Judaism, to flourish in this country. Today’s decision threatens this core principle, and with it, the rights and well-being of people who rely on these protections. 

“In Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, the Court further undermined our protections by weakening the intent of Title VII, allowing it to be used in so-called ‘reverse discrimination’ suits. The Court has lowered the bar for employment discrimination claims by taking away the requirement that plaintiffs of majority groups demonstrate ‘background circumstances’ to bolster the unusual claim of discrimination against some in the majority. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act has long been an essential and necessary tool in protecting workers from marginalized minority groups and this decision diminishes its power and purpose to protect those who have been historically discriminated against. 

“As Jews, we are called to pursue justice and protect the dignity of every individual. Today’s decisions move us further from that goal. NCJW’s 250,000 advocates remain committed to fighting for civil rights, religious freedom, and true equality for all.”

NCJW was proud to join an amicus brief in the Catholic Charities case on behalf of religious and civil rights groups led by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. 

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National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a 132-year-old Jewish feminist civil rights organization working for equity and justice for women, children, and families in the United States and Israel. Through the efforts of our 250,000 grassroots advocates and 48 local sections, NCJW combines education, direct service, and advocacy to affect lasting social change at the local, state, and national levels. We approach our work through the intersections of gender, economic, and racial justice to center those most impacted in a uniquely Jewish way. Learn more at NCJW.org, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The post National Council of Jewish Women Dismayed by SCOTUS Decisions in Catholic Charities Bureau and Ames Cases appeared first on National Council of Jewish Women.